St. Anna, Holy Righteous Ancestor of God

Commemorated on September 9

St. Anna was the daughter of Matthan the priest, who was of the tribe of Levi, whose family came from Bethlehem. St. Anna lived with her husband, Joachim, at Nazareth in Galilee. They were childless into their old age and grieved over this. They had to endure derision and scorn, since at that time childlessness was considered a disgrace. They never complained, but fervently prayed to God, humbly trusting in Him.

During a great feast, the gifts that Joachim took to the Temple as an offering to God were not accepted by the priest, who considered that a childless man was not worthy to offer sacrifice to God. This pained Joachim, and he decided to settle in solitude in a desolate place. When St. Anna learned what humiliation her husband had endured, she sorrowfully entreated God with prayer and fasting to grant her a child. In his solitude, the righteous Joachim also asked God for a child.

The prayer of the saintly couple was heard. An angel told them that a daughter would be born to them, Who would be blessed above all other women. The angel also told them that She would remain a virgin, would be dedicated to the Lord and live in the Temple, and would give birth to the Savior. Obeying the instructions of the heavenly messenger, Ss. Joachim and Anna met at the Golden Gate in Jerusalem. Then, as God promised, a daughter was born to them, and they named her Mary.

St. Joachim died a few years later at the age of 80 after Mary went to live in the Temple. St. Anna died at the age of 70, two years after her husband. Ss. Joachim and Anna are often invoked by couples trying to have children.

Troparion (Tone 4) –

Since you were righteous under the law of grace, O Joachim and Anna,

For our sake you gave birth to the God-given Infant.

The divine Church today therefore feasts radiantly,

Joyfully celebrating your honorable memory and giving glory to God Who has raised up a horn of salvation from the house of David!